Numbers 26:28-34·~1 min

The Tribe of Manasseh

Joseph’s descendants are divided into Manasseh and Ephraim, and Manasseh’s line is traced through Gilead into its clans. The genealogy unfolds in detail before the total is given.

T²⁸he descendants of Joseph included the clans of Manasseh and Ephraim. ²⁹These were the descendants of Manasseh: ³⁰These were the descendants of Gilead: ³¹the Asrielite clan from Asriel, ³²the Shemidaite clan from Shemida,

Zelophehad is noted as having daughters but no sons, and the daughters are named before Manasseh’s final total is recorded. Their appearance quietly anticipates a coming inheritance claim.

³³Now Zelophehad son of Hepher had no sons but only daughters. The names of his daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. ³⁴These were the clans of Manasseh, and their registration numbered... 52,700.

Section summaryManasseh’s line is traced through Gilead and other clans, and Zelophehad’s daughters are named because he has no sons. The tribe’s total is then given as 52,700, with family structure already beginning to touch questions of inheritance.

Role in the chapterThis section does more than count Manasseh. By naming Zelophehad’s daughters, it prepares for the inheritance issue that will soon come into view and ties the census to the land’s future distribution.